Hilarious Dog Halloween Costumes Are The Real Highlight Of The Season

Halloween gives you the freedom to dust off those creative cobwebs and make some clever costumes. But how could you improve on the results? Dogs! Lots of dogs! It’s all about dressing up your furry family members this year, and the more ridiculous and inventive the costumes, the better. Here are our favorite dog costumes that prove you shouldn’t keep your pooch in the doghouse at the spookiest time of the year.

1. Puppywise the clown

If Pennywise the creepy clown from Stephen King’s It was as cute as Chowder here, he’d lure far more victims into his lair. “We all float down here,” Pennywise said, but Chowder lightens people in a different way. She’s a model and a therapy dog, so she’s always around to cheer up those who need it. When she’s not being spoopy, of course.

2. All the better to eat you with

Taking inspiration from fairytales, this Halloween costume brings you not just one source of cuteness but two! The girl’s Little Red Riding Hood costume’s adorable. And when you add a husky — a dog breed that looks incredibly close to wolves anyway — as “grandma” it’s a winning formula. One commenter added, “Guess whose hooman gets a trick tonight? Probably in their shoe?”

3. Batdog

Okay, so there’s already a Bat-Hound in the DC comic universe canon, but let’s be honest: he doesn’t look anywhere near as majestic as this gorgeous Golden Retriever. There’s no fan involved; the wind just blows atmospherically whenever he strikes a pose. Well, we might be exaggerating a bit there, but can you blame us? He’s so darn cute!

4. Simply magic

Have you ever wondered what The Blair Witch Project would look like if it was recreated by dogs? And if not, what’s wrong with you? Clearly it’d be a chilling masterpiece if this horrifying Halloween effort’s anything to go by. Go on, admit it, you’d watch this. We’d certainly pay good money to see how it plays out.

5. Line up

Do you like your Halloween creepy or cute? Kaya’s preference is obvious: she chose a kissing booth costume for the season. “Good spooky [thank god it’s Friday] morning,” her Instagram post read. “I’m a sloppy kissy face kissing booth, and I’m demanding incredibly large snacks as payment! Happy Howloween, mwah!” And she definitely won hearts with this one if the comments are anything to go by. “Let us know where the line starts,” read one.

6. Silence of the lambies

Friday The 13th is a horror film in which a supernatural slasher called Jason comes back from the dead and stalks his prey. This delightful doggo’s homage turns the franchise into a terrifying treat, and all it took was a simple mask and a prop lamb, who was then turned into a lamb chop. At least we think it’s a prop. It is a prop, right?

7. Chewbarka

This dog doesn’t even need a costume to look like Chewbacca, but it got one anyway. His owners added a little bandolier, and bam! You have a wonderful wookie ready to take on the Empire. In case you’re wondering, it’s a Brussels Griffon breed which, according to the American Kennel Club, are loyal and sensitive companions with “enough personality for ten ordinary dogs.”

8. Clowning around

Petful brings you the wonderful wuffer Dozer, who according to their Flickr is “always clowning around.” Let’s be honest, clowns are pretty scary, and on Halloween there are always a few hanging around to loot your candy. Still, if they were as lovable as Dozer here, we’d have to find new phobias. Not even a clown costume can make him scary.

9. Harry Pupper

The Harry Potter franchise was all the rage in 2003 when Nikaela Straus, dressed as the titular magical character, took her dog (or dogs?) Jackie to the 13th Tompkins Square Park Annual Dog Halloween Parade in New York. A couple of well-made model dog heads turned Jackie into the series’ three-headed dog Fluffy. Sure, one head’s cuter than the others, but three heads means triple the kisses.

10. A little risky

If you’ve ever seen the Pixar movie Up, you’ll remember the iconic flying house. The only thing that could make it better is another dog. And wouldn’t you know it, someone else thought so, too. This reddit user gave their tiny Chihuahua a balloon house suit that’s stinkin’ adorable, though they might want to hold on to it if they leave the house. You know, just in case.

11. Too many bones

Dogs love calcium but this poorly-looking pooch has too much of it on the outside! It definitely looks ready to chill your bones this year. And you can accomplish the same look yourself with some creative use of paint. Just make sure you use products specifically designed for use on pet fur or you and your best bud’s Halloween will be seriously shocking.

12. Ghoul-dog

There’s a reason the classic sheet ghost’s such a reliable costume. It’s simple, effective, and instantly recognizable. It looks so much better on a dog than it does a human though, especially with the holes cut out for the ears and that adorable little muzzle. But can you imagine trying to keep the treats safe from a dog who’d just walk through the closet door?

13. Did someone order tacos?

The classic hotdog costume’s a favorite among dachshund owners, naturally, but here’s a variation with a little more Mexican flair. With some creative paper and cardboard construction, you can make a taco costume for your pet to create the illusion of a mobile snack. Ever seen a taco running around on little legs? Now that’s what we call fast food.

14. RBD

If you’ve never considered Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be adorable, you’re in for a change of heart! Add a simple gown, a pair of glasses, and a hairpiece and your pup’s ready to keep the law on a short leash over Halloween. The only real question is what her name should be: do you prefer the OP’s Ruth Spayder Ginsburg or another suggestion: Ruff Bader Ginsburg? Either way, that’s one cute dog.

15. Getting ahead

This might be one of the creepiest clown costumes we’ve ever seen on a pet, though it’s also among the most ingenious. By employing a clever design and some smart use of space, your dog can also become a head on a platter carried by a scary monster. You know, if that’s the kind of thing you’re into.

16. Beanie Baby

Beau the Golden Labradoodle’s an Instagram star and his homepage describes him as “a true southern gentleman, enjoying life on the Florida and Mississippi Gulf Coasts.” It’s easy to see why he’s so popular — he’s so fluffy we’re gonna die! That’s why the ingenious addition of a big Beanie Baby tag makes the ideal costume for Beau. He was practically a plushie to begin with.

17. Incredible

You wouldn’t like him when he’s hungry. Quick, give him lots of treats! To turn your dog into the Incredible Hulk, you thankfully don’t need radiation or rage — just some pet-friendly paint and a pair of old jeans. It helps if your dog is swole to begin with, of course, but don’t let that put you off. If your pal’s willing to join you on Halloween, show the neighborhood how incredible they are.

18. Special delivery

Though the traditional Halloween costume is spooky, they don’t all have to be. For instance, there’s a growing trend in Japan of people dressing up in humorous “everyday situation costumes,” too. This pooch is taking the same approach and delivers us entertainment as a UPS employee. Or maybe it’s just a disguise to get close to the mailman…

19. Stealing hearts

Halloween’s the time for the goodest of bois to pretend to be bad. And according to reddit this little heart stealer’s “planning his next heart robbery.” It’s going to be a crime wave. In case you’re wondering where the thief “mask” came from, it’s actually made from a cut-up old sock. Thrifty and crafty, that’s what we like.

20. The barking dead

Arguably one of the most iconic images from AMC’s The Walking Dead is swordswoman Michonne strolling through a crowd of walkers with her chained zombies behind her. This suitably spoopy pug does a perfect rendition with its adorable little snarl. It even has two zombie teddies in tow, ready to face a herd of walkers!

21. To the bark side

If you want a pet cosplay that’s out of this world, consider this planet-destroying pooch featured on reddit. Believe it or not, this Pomeranian’s real name is actually Vader, since according to his owner “he was more on the ‘dark side’ as a puppy.” He takes his name literally for Halloween, when he becomes the most adorable doggo around with a lightsaber.

22. Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing’s a relaxing Nintendo video game about a human villager who lives on an island full of friendly animal folk. Among their number is the famous musical dog star K.K. Slider who plays the guitar. With the addition of an instrument prop and some pet paint eyebrows, Norro the dog makes an almost identical K.K. Where’s this island and when can we move there?

23. Lovely locks

They say that dogs start to look like their owners and this one’s taking it to another level entirely. Meet Rosie, who entered the 2003 annual Dog Halloween Parade in New York with her costume of choice: a human woman. She looks hilarious and the only thing that could make the entry better is if she walked on two legs. And maybe took another dog for a walk.

24. Just right

Brasken Labradoodles brings you Mabel and her temporary siblings, who have their own Instagram account as doggie models. And since they look like small bears, what better costume theme than fairytale classic Goldilocks for this Halloween? They even have a white-furred friend to pose as the titular heroine. We don’t know about you, but we think these costumes are just right.

25. Mop barket

Keki the Hungarian Puli dog cleaned the competition’s clocks by posing as a mop for Halloween — and all she needed were a few props. Her breed’s renowned for the high-maintenance but to-die-for dreads and Keki’s “costume” was so creative that she went viral. According to the Dodo in 2017, a source who knows Kiki said, “[She] loved the attention and petting she received.”

26. The mane man

Titus the English Bulldog brought a new meaning to the term “bad hair day” when his human uploaded this picture of him on Instagram in 2021. “Not sure what happened last night but woke up like this,” they wrote on his behalf. However it happened, Titus doesn’t look impressed with the new development.

27. Spider-dog

Arachnophobia’s one of the most common human fears and all the spiders are out on Halloween to give you the creeps and coat you in cobwebs. But if they were as cute as this spider-sausage people would be herding them into the house instead of throwing them out. It’d be a pain wiping paw marks off the walls and ceilings, though.

28. Corgberus

Not even the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was renowned for her love of Corgis, saw the likes of the dreaded Corgberus, the three-headed guardian to the gates of heck. The only way you can gain access in or out is with plenty of belly rubs and lots of treats. “What an unholy creature,” a redditor commented. “He borks, for he must guide new souls to rest.”

29. Dobby’s a free dog

If you’ve ever wanted to see Harry Potter’s Dobby the house elf in real life, your dreams have now come true! You’ll never see a more accurate live-action version than this perfect pooch, whose owner dressed her up for a birthday-slash-Halloween celebration. “Not to be dramatic, but I would die for her,” one commenter wrote. We would, too. Someone give her a sock!

30. The goodest

Hirsute hero Wolverine from Marvel Comics’ X-Men is the perfect costume for this wonderful woofer who’s apparently “the goodest at what he does.” We have to admit he’s a little intimidating with that snarl, though it’s perfectly in character and the tough boi act’s undermined a little by those cute claws! Maybe treats and belly rubs will calm down his berserker rage.

31. What ’chu looking at?

Should you have to stay at gnome this Halloween, at least you can have a little fun around the garden with your furry friend. And if you’re feeling fancy, try some felt work and make your best buddy a little pointy cap. No, we aren’t suggesting you pet-shame them with a dunce hat. But it can be the start of an entertaining yard gnome outfit to make your pal feel festive.

32. Cyber-dawg

This dog owner upgraded their creativity chips and produced their very own robotronic rover, apparently inspired by the HBO sci-fi series Westworld. Don’t worry, though, no surgery or engineering was involved. It’s simply a very clever illusion that uses some faux futurism and an LED light to make an artificial cybork. Isaac Asimutt would be proud.

33. Puggy Blinders

DaPuglet on Flickr wrote, “I love the British television series Peaky Blinders so I just had to come up with a Peaky pug costume. I had the hardest time finding a cap to fit. I finally lucked out at the thrift store in the children’s section… So without further ado, I give you our old pro Miss Bailey Puggins dressed as Arthur Shelby, our favorite character from the series.”

34. Teenage muttant ninja doggo

If you’re looking for an affordable homemade costume for your faithful furry friend, your search has ended. A spray-painted pie tin and some cloth scraps will turn any daring doggo into the hero they are inside. A hero in a half-shell, in fact. And if you’ve got four dogs, you can even make the complete team. Turtle power!

35. Dogwarts

Of course, Fluffy the three-headed dog’s an obvious Harry Potter pet costume and it’s been done very well. You don’t see Hermione outfits very often, though. It takes a confident canine to pull off a Hogwarts uniform — especially if that dog has facial hair as glorious as this one does — but they’ve done it. We love the second one peeking out from behind its human’s robes, too.

36. Trashy costume

It may be a trashy costume in name, but not in nature. Creative thinking turned a garbage can into an ingenious entry in 2006’s 16th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Todd Welch stars here alongside his little dog Herbie as a wonderful take on Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch. It’s a clever idea, and Herbie’s Oscar outfit is a lovely finishing touch.

37. Warrior code

How honorable is your hound? Loyal doggos deserve to be rewarded for their efforts and turned into the warrior they are inside. Or at least given a symbolic homemade hero’s outfit like this to-die-for pooch, whose owner dressed them up as a samurai for All Hallow’s Eve. What’s more, it’s an affordable outfit, too. It just takes time, cardboard, and a little creativity. A toy sword’s optional but encouraged.

38. Little mermaid

Now this is a dogfish! “If you could use a little bit of joy and laughter, you’ve come to the right place,” Tuna the dog’s Instagram page reads. And his 2018 Halloween mermaid costume’s hilarious! Not only is Tuna’s sweet little overbite expression priceless, but dressing up a dog with that name in a half-fish costume is also just perfect.

39. Wrecking ball

Remember the risqué Miley Cyrus song “Wrecking Ball” in which she iconically swings into view on construction equipment? Well, though there’s been a ton of spoofs and recreations of the theme, in our opinion none has been executed quite as well or as hilariously as this one! It’s a smart move to turn the pug into the ball rather than Miley herself — and the doll on top just… well, wrecks us.

40. Puppington bear

This dog posing as Paddington Bear’s so true to life it’s scary — albeit in a very cute way. He even has Paddington’s patented hard stare locked down! And don’t worry if you’re confused. This costume fooled many people, as reddit comments proved. One person wrote, “At first I was looking at it thinking it looked so real. Then I thought that it might be real but couldn’t figure out what it was.”